Airworthiness Directives; Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model SE 3130, SE 313B, SA 3180, SA 318B, and SA 318C Helicopters

This amendment supersedes an existing airworthiness directive (AD), applicable to Eurocopter Model SE 3130, SE 313B, SA 3180, SA 318B, and SA 318C helicopters, that currently requires a visual inspection of the main rotor blade reinforcement strips for debonding between the reinforcement strips of the blade; and a visual inspection of the main rotor blade (blade) skin for cracks or corrosion, and replacement of the blade with an airworthy blade if certain debonding or a crack or corrosion is found. This amendment requires additional inspections using a tapping method, redefines the area to be inspected, and increases the repetitive inspection interval. This amendment is prompted by an in-flight failure of a main rotor blade on a Eurocopter SE 3130 helicopter. The actions specified by this AD are intended to detect bonding separation, cracks, or corrosion in the area of the blade root reinforcement strip, and to prevent failure of a blade and subsequent loss of control of the helicopter.